Soy Fuego debuted at Solo(s) Project House at 972 Broad Street on Saturday, April 13, from 7 pm to 11 pm. International street artist LNY worked with Mexico City based filmmaker Jonathan Ostos Yaber to create Soy Fuego (I’m Fire), a video juxtaposing footage by Ostos and the paintings of LNY. They worked for 12 days in Newark, NJ to complete the film.

The two demonstrated their process at the beginning of the event. Ostos would project the film onto a blank gallery wall, where LNY would then paint around the character. Then, a photograph is taken. The two have created a sort of live rotoscoping of their video. The actress from the video, who plays a woman tired of her life and is subsequently engulfed in flames, was also present at the opening. They discussed the creation of the film and their practices during the event and presented a segment of the movie that had so far been completed.

LNY is an artist based in Newark. His work often visualizes local issues in the communities where his art is located. He draws murals and drawings on paper. He likes his practice to “graphic journalism.” The event noted, ”Psychogeographies, politics, struggle, ethnicity and extreme emotion are all present in his work and are often expressed through a heavy use of vernacular symbolism, portraits of local residents and the creation of animal hybrids.”

The event, sponsored by the Newark Office of Film and Television, was full of Newark’s creative class, including many residents from Solo(s) Project House itself. There was also food, music, and lots of art talk.

PROTOCOL is the name of LNY’s eight week residency at Solo(s) Project House. His residency aims to investigate the monetary and creative process of working in a public space. The artist intends to create a limited edition print that will not be released until one hundred backers commit to its production. That money will then be used partly to create public art in Newark.

SPH says, “During this time the gallery will serve as an open studio, an evolving installation, a meeting place for workshops, screenings, readings and a market place where the private art is released only after it has funded the creation of free public art. This open laboratory welcomes your participation and experimentation along with the artist.”

LNY will also be still in residence during Saturday’s (May 4) SPH 4th Annual Benefit and Celebration. A silent auction will be held (including works by LNY), as well as an interactive, community art project. The event takes place from 6 pm to 10 pm and there is a suggested donation of $10. For more information, visit the event page here.